Pong Travels: Mt. Talamitam and Dudong Cove

Hello! Bundok hits muna tayo after magpalamig sa Estados Unidos. Mt. Talamitam! 🐢

[March 31-April 1, 2018]

It was my first summit of 2018! I've been to Mt. Talamitam roughly 10 years ago and the beauty of the mountain still has not changed. This is considered a minor climb and recommended for beginners, too. Difficulty Level: 3/9.☺

PissDrunx, Mt. Talamitam Summit

First climb after my US stint and I tell you, it was really tough. Haha. When I climbed this mountain 10 years ago, I have my bag with me 'til we reached the summit. And now, I didn't have anything w me - just myself, yet twas a struggle. Lack of exercise and lots of fats - yeah. Thankfully, I have very supportive friends who kept pushing me - almost literally, too. Haha. 

Mt. Talamitam - 10 years later with Yo, we didn't have a copy of the photo 10 years back - sayang!

The climb was also a celebration of Ornap's birthday. He works overseas, so it was a bit of a reunion of our barkada which we call PissDrunx. As always, it was fun, chill and w tears, too? (Bakit tayo may tears, Jong? Hehe. Ton kasi e. ♥) After the climb, we headed to the beach (it didn't have a name, so we just called it the Dudong Cove). Originally, we plan to settle at the Papaya Cove but it was so crowded. It was my first time to get drunk after so many years. But I guess it's fine as am with the right set of people. It was my first time to ride a boat as in a little boat under just the moonlight with no life vest! Crazy. Lots of things happened that weekend. Haha. Lasheng e. And am literally smiling while am typing. The kwentuhan leveled up a bit - maybe because now we're older. Oh well. Fun times. Lasheng times. PD times.

happy lunch photo

Good times - well, not so. (Sorry, Dude! Di ko kayang galit ka saken, confirmed.)

Mt. Talamitam - Topher, me and the Dude I was referring to

Some snaps below. Full album (pics + videos) here. 

Mt. Talamitam - mga pogi sila - yo, jorge, topher and birthday boy, ornap

Mt. Talamitam GP edit - Topher

Mt. Talamitam GP edit - Pong

Mt. Talamitam GP edit - Jorge

Tagaytay Brekky

Mt. Talamitam pababa na Saudi Pose

Mt. Talamitam - the "baby, are you okay?" pose - haha

picture muna before leaving Dasma

Super touched with this keychain! Thanks, Dude! #simplethings #bigjoys

How to go to Mt. Talamitam:

Public Transpo: Ride a bus bound to Nasugbu. Drop off point should be Sitio Bayabasan. Fare is about PHP120.


Nasugbu Bus Terminals:

1. DLTB Bus Terminal in Buendia
2.  San Agustin Bus Terminal in Pasay

Private Transpo: Take the South Super Highway then exit to Sta. Rosa then go straight to Tagaytay. Do a right turn and go straight until you reach the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway. Go straight until you reacj Km 83, Sitio Bayabasan which is Mt. Talamitam's jump-off. 

• Is a guide required? - They are requiring it now, but we managed not to. We were there March 31 for a dayhike. Minimum is PHP300-PHP500, it depends.
• How much is the registration fee? PHP40 
• Shower Fee: PHP20 

Remember: Talamitam is an open mountain so it can be very hot during summer. Make sure you have everything you need to protect yourself from the sun. It'll be worth it. 

 
"Leave nothing but foot prints,take nothing but pictures, kill nothing but time." Enjoy! ☺


speak from the heart, 
pong 🐢💙

Pong Travels: Mt. Batulao Day Hike

Hello! 😉

Finally, after 28 months, was able to climb this beauty again. It's my 5th time in Mt. Batulao and until now, am still in awe of its charm. 

Mt. Batulao is situated in Nasugbu, Batangas. It's elevation stands at 811+ masl.

Jump-off point: KC Hillcrest Hotel and Golf Club (formerly Evercrest Hotel and Golf Club)

Considered as a Minor Climb with a difficulty level of 4/9.

March 26, 2017 - the Day hike happened with my long lost kumare - Lovely Joy. Hehe. The goal was to be active again and yes, lose weight. Trim these unwanted fats. LOL. Call time is 5:30am - yes am late, I arrived roughly 7AM. The endless kwentuhans with LJ and the reunion with the mountain are the highlights of this trip. Labyu, Mare! 💋

Our planned itinerary which you guys could follow for a day hike:

3:00AM Depart from Pasay via Nasubgu Bus

5:00AM ETA KC Hillcrest Hotel and Golf Club ((formerly Evercrest Hotel and Golf Club)

5:30AM Start Trek

8:00AM Arrival at Camp 1, old trail

10:00AM Summit, photo-op

10:30AM Descent to Camp 1, old trail

11:30AM ETA Camp 1, old trail

11:30AM - 3:30PM Cook lunch, socials

4:00PM Descent to Jump-off

5:00PM ETA Jump-off, clean-up (PHP10 - CR fee)

6:00PM Bye, Batulao

9:00PM ETA Manila

Notes: Batulao has two trails - old and new. The new trail is pretty much an open spot; old offers some shady spots. If you're climbing during the summer, old trail is recommended. Batulao could be VERY muddy when it's rainy. Sari-sari stores could be found along the trail. There's a loo in Camp 1 - PHP10 for half a pail of water. 

Before: Only 1 registration (PHP20), Campsites

Now: 3 Registration spots will come your way while trekking via the old trail (PHP20, PHP30, PHP20) and two more if you'll descend via the new trail.  

FARE: Pasay to Nasubgu - PHP106

           Tricycle to Jump-off - PHP100 (walking is an option)

WHAT TO BRING:

Trail food (Jellyace, Chocolates, Energy Bars)

Water (2-3L)

Sun protector (shades, umbrella, fan, arm protector, sun block etc)

Mosquito repellant 

Extra clothes

Medicine

Speakers (for soundtrippin' - optional)

Cookset (+butane, cooking oil, etc)

Toiletries (kikay kit)
Good vibes and sense of humor Ü

Estimated Budget: PHP600-PHP650

Sidetrip to Tagaytay is always an option. 👌

Some snaps of our day hike! Remember, packlight! 👍

And - always remember, take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints and kill nothing but time. 👌 

- pong 🐢

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that's Camp 1, old trail



the outdoors - picnic lol



thanks for the photo, mare



the split

Chill under the tree

Negrita. Ang dumiii. LOL